Home searches across Manchester have uncovered important items for the investigation into the concert bombing that left 22 people dead, Manchester’s police chief announced on Thursday. A British official said Manchester police have decided not to share further information on the probe with the United States due to leaks blamed on US officials.
British Prime Minister Theresa May said she plans to discuss the leaks with President Donald Trump at the Nato summit in Brussels. She said she plans to “make clear to President Trump that intelligence that is shared between our law enforcement agencies must remain secure.”
British officials are particularly angry that photos detailing evidence about the bomb used in the Manchester attack were published in The New York Times, although it is not clear that the paper obtained the photos from US officials.
British police and security services were also upset that Abedi’s name was apparently leaked by US officials and published while police in Britain were withholding his name — and while raids were underway in Manchester and in Libya, where the bomber’s father lives.
A British official said that police in Manchester have decided to stop sharing information about their bombing investigation with the US until they get a guarantee that there will be no more leaks to the media. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly.
Ms May also said that progress is being made in the Manchester bombing investigation and said the national threat level remains critical —meaning another attack may be imminent.
President Donald Trump vowed to crack down on leaks into the bombing. He slammed the leaks as “deeply troubling” and warned warning those responsible could face prosecution.
“The alleged leaks coming out of government agencies are deeply troubling,” Mr Trump said. “If appropriate, the culprit should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
”There is no relationship we cherish more than the Special Relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom,” Mr Trump said, adding “The leaks of sensitive information pose a grave threat to our national security.”
